Are You Smarter Than A Flying Gator? Read Free Page B

said. “Money? There’s no way to tell at this point, but I think I’ve already got most of the materials we need in the workshop. If we have any significant expenses at all, I’ll let you know.”
    Chad’s mom sighed. “Well, I almost wish I was a member of Sarabiskota this summer. It’s never boring being around you kids.”
    Kari smiled. “We’ll make all you parents honorary members,” she said.
    â€œYeah,” said Jessie, “we’re going to make new Sarabiskota T-shirts this summer, and we’ll get one printed for each of you.”
    â€œThat would be really nice,” Mrs. Renner said.
    That night, the nine teens did one of their favorite activities: they walked the full six miles up and down Siesta Key Beach with flashlights. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful night. The moon seemed unusually large and bright. Millions of stars lit up the summer sky above the limitless dark waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

    As they walked along the beach barefoot, Kari whirled her flashlight around, shining it in the faces of her friends. “Hey, everyone. What time do you want me to get you up tomorrow morning for our exercise before breakfast?”
    â€œWhat type of exercise do you have in mind?” Doc asked.
    â€œHow about a bike ride on the beach before sunrise?” Kevin suggested.
    KT said, “The bikes are all ready to go at my house.”
    Kari said, “I could start waking everyone up at six. We could be out on the beach by six-thirty. That would give us an hour of exercise before breakfast.”
    â€œSounds good to me,” said Chad. “You can call my cell number and I’ll wake up all the boys.”
    â€œI can’t wait to start on our summer project,” Jessie said excitedly.
    â€œMe, too,” said Doc. “Prez, do you really thinkwe can get it all done by August?”
    â€œWith all of us working together, I have no doubts,” Prez said confidently.

4

    Kari made sure everyone got up early the next morning. After a brisk bike ride up and down Siesta Key Beach, they ate breakfast, showered, and gathered outside KT’s house.
    From there, they rode their bicycles south approximately three miles on a road that ran parallel to the beach. They stopped when they got to a large, gold, rectangular, metal building. The building was easily big enough to hold a tennis court, and it had a huge Pittsburgh Steelers logo painted above the two large front doors.
    They parked their bikes in front of the building, then followed Prez toward the doors. As they approached them, Prez said, “Open, sez me.”
    The metal doors slid open. As the nine teens entered, a polite female adult voice said, “Good morning, Prez. You’re looking mighty handsome this fine morning. Good morning, KT, Doc, Kari, Jessie, Chad, Kevin, Mike, and Nick.”
    Everyone looked at Prez and laughed.
    â€œWhat?” Prez said, trying his best not to laugh. “My computers like me.”
    As they walked farther into the building, several overhead lights automatically turned on and the full magnificence of Prez’s workshop was on display. “Wow! This is so awesome!” Nick exclaimed.
    â€œIt’s organized, too,” Kari noted. “It’s not like you, Prez.”
    â€œKT and Chad had a lot to do with that,” Prez explained. “They helped me organize things in here the past month.”
    â€œIt was a nightmare,” Chad whispered loudly.
    The nine teens slowly walked around the entire place as Prez explained some of his favorite projects.
    â€œThomas Edison would be proud of all this,” said Kevin.
    â€œI only wonder how much Edison could have done with all of this advanced stuff,” Mike added.
    That was definitely true. Prez’s lab and workshop were stocked with the latest high tech computers and equipment. All around were various projects and inventions at different stages of